FreeSports to cover Great Britain Men’s games for the next five years

UK-based television channel FreeSports will cover Great Britain Men’s games at IIHF World Championship tournaments for the next five years.

This is the first time that a GB Men’s World Championship has been shown in full on free-to-air television.

GB were promoted last season with five victories from five in Belfast and will now compete in the second-tier World Championship (Division 1A) tournament in April.

The six-team tournament runs from 22nd to 28th April 2018 and will take place at the Papp Laszlo Sportarena in Budapest.

GB come up against hosts Hungary, along with Italy, Kazakhstan, Poland and Slovenia, with two teams promoted to the top-level World Championship.

IHUK chairman Richard Grieveson said: “It is fantastic news that GB games will be shown on free-to-air television.

“After promotion last season in Belfast, these really are exciting times for GB and playing in the second tier of World Championship ice hockey brings us more exposure.

“The interest in Great Britain is bigger than ever and it is brilliant that those that can’t make it to Budapest will be able to follow us back home.”

FreeSports operations manager Richard Webb added: “It is a pleasure to be a part of the Great Britain campaigns for the next five years, bringing the action to the hockey fans who support the national team.

“GB are coming off a fantastic gold-medal performance in Belfast and we hope to capture more magical moments in the future on free-to-air television.”